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PUBLISHERS CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. 

A Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Lartfe Catalogue Free. 
Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given. 



DRAMAS. COMEDIES. ENTER- 
TAINMENTS. Etc. 

M. F. 

After the Game, 2 acts, Wa 

hrs (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 4 4 
All That Glitters Is Not Gold, 

2 acts, 2 hrs 6 3 

Altar of Riches, 4 acts, 2 x / 2 hrs. 

(25c) 5 5 

American Hustler, 4 acts, 2 l / 2 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Arabian Nights, 3 acts, 2 hrs. . . 4 5 
Bank Cashier, 4 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 8 4 
Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 9 3 

Bonnybell, 1 hr (25c).Optnl. 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2% hrs. 

(25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 h.(25c) 7 4 
Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2% hrs. (25c) 7 4 

Caste, 3 acts, 2y 2 hrs 5 3 

Corner Drug Store, 1 hr.(25c)17 14 
Cricket on the Hearth, 3 acts, 

154 hrs 7 8 

Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs... 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert, 4 acts, 

2^ hrs (25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2 x / 2 hrs. 

*> (25c) 8 4 

East Lynne, 5 acts, 2 J4 hrs.... 8 7 

Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr (25c)10 

Elma, 1 54 hrs (25c) Optnl. 

Enchanted Wood, 154 h.(35c) Optnl. 

Eulalia, 1 J4 hrs (25c) Optnl. 

Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

From Sumter to Appomattox, 4 

acts, 2V* hrs (25c) 6 2 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

\y 2 hrs (25c) 9 14 

Handy Andy (Irish) , 2 acts, 1 y 2 h. 8 2 
Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 8 4 

High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 h (25c) 12 

Home, 3 acts, 2 hrs 4 3 

Honor of a Cowboy, 4 acts, 2^4 

hrs (25c) 13 4 

Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs.. (25c) 5 4 
It's All in the Pay Streak, 3 

acts, 154 hrs (25c) 4 3 

Jayville Junction, \y 2 hrs. (25c) 14 17 
Jedediah Judkins, J. P., 4 .aQts,'. 

2y 2 hrs (25&;7 5 

Kingdom of Heart's Content* 3 

acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 12 

Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) 10 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Lodge of Kye Tyes, 1 hr.(25c)13 
Lonelyville Social Club, 3 acts, 

\y 2 hrs (25c) 10 



M. F. 

Louva, the Pauper, 5 acts, 2 h. . 9 4 
Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 5 2 

Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 2y 2 

hrs (25c) 9 5 

Mirandy's Minstrels. . . . (25c) Optnl. 

New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr 3 6 

Not Such a Fool as He Looks, 

3 acts, 2 hrs 5 3 

Odds with the Enemy, 4 acts, 

1 y A hrs 7 4 

Old Maid's Club, \y 2 hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

V/ A hrs (25c)12 9 

Only Daughter, 3 acts, 1 % hrs. 5 2 
On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

2y 2 hrs (25c) 10 4 

Our Boys, 3 acts, 2 hrs 6 4 

Omt in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 hr. 6 4 

Pet of Parson's Ranch, 5 acts, 2 h. 9 2 

School Ma'am, 4 acts, 1 54 hrs. . 6 5 

Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs.. 6 6 

Seth Greenback, 4 acts, 1 54 hrs. 7 3 

Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2y 2 h. 8 3 

Solon Shingle, 2 acts, \ l / 2 hrs.. 7 2 

Sweethearts, 2 acts, 35 min.... 2 2 
Ten Nights in a Barroom, 5 

s.cts ' hrs 7 4 

Third Degree, 4«"min. '.'.'. (25c) 12 
Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Ticket-of -Leave Man, 4 acts, 254 

hrs. 8 3 

Tony, The Convict, 5 acts, 2y 2 

hrs. (25c) 7 4 

Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h..(25c) 6 4 

Trip to Storyland, \ l A hrs. (25c) 17 23 

Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. (25c) 8 3 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
Under the Spell, 4 acts, 2^ 

hrs (25c) 7 3 

Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES. COMEDIETTAS. Etc. 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 1Q min. 3 2 

Aunt Matilda's Birthday Party, 

35 min 11 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 

Bad Job, 30 min. 3 2 

Betsy Baker, 45 min 2 2 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 5 

Box and Cox, 35 min 2 1 

Cabman No. 93, 40 min 2 2 

Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 
Convention of Papas, 25 min. . . 7 

Country Justice. 15 min 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 



T. S. DENISON £i COMPANY. 154 W. Randolph St, Chicago 



WHEN THE WORM 
TURNED 



A COMEDY 



BY 

KATHARINE KAVANAUGH 

AUTHOR OF 

" Who's a Coward," '-Countess Kate" "A Minister Pro Tern," 
1 ' The Queen of Diamonds,' ' ' * Under Blue Skies , ' ' Etc. 




CHICAGO 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY 
Publishers 
111912.0 



PS 352 [ 
WHEN THE WORM TURNED 



CHARACTERS. 

James Jenkins The Convivial Chap 

Henry Peck The Henpecked One 

Mrs. Peck The Injured Party 



Place — A Large City. 



Time — Last Night. 



Time of Playing — Twenty-five Minutes. 



Notice. — Production of this play is free to amateurs, but the sole 
professional rights are reserved by the Publishers. 



COPYRIGHT, '1912, BY EBEN H. NORRIS. 



©OLD 305G6 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 3 

STORY OF THE PLAY. 
'The Peck and Jenkins families live in adjoining homes 
on a short street, where the houses are exactly alike. 
Hence at night it is not strange that a late comer should 
become confused and attempt to enter the wrong home. 
The plot of this playlet hinges on such an incident, which 
brings Jenkins into the Peck domicile at midnight. He has 
been at the club, where he has imbibed too freely and is 
slightly under the weather. Jenkins is a jolly, convivial 
chap, while Peck is of the strictly straight-laced variety. 
They are not well enough acquainted to be on speaking 
terms, but from observation Peck disapproves of Jenkins' 
actions and late hours. Recently Peck has been working 
very late at his office, and his wife, who is unreasonable and 
of a suspicious nature, begins to fear that office work is 
but an excuse to cover other indiscretions. On this particu- 
lar night Mrs. Peck is impatiently waiting for her husband's 
return. Jenkins enters and in his muddled condition gives 
little heed to the arrangement of the furniture. His wife 
has a habit of continually changing things about and he 
does not question being elsewhere than in his own house. 
He is annoyed, however, that the electric light button 
is not in its accustomed place. At this critical moment 
Mrs. Peck appears, turns on the light and both are greatly 
surprised at the other's presence. She realizes his condition 
and tells him that he is in the wrong house, but he will not 
be convinced and concludes that his wife has been having 
a late party and that Mrs. Peck is under the influence of 
wine. To humor him she agrees to go into his wife's room 
and sleep off the effects, while he stretches out on the couch 
and falls asleep. Peck, tired and ill-natured, arrives and 
the sight of Jenkins fills him with suspicions of his wife. 
He awakens him and after a hot argument convinces Jen- 
kins of his mistake and the two men become friendly. Peck 
admits he is henpecked and Jenkins claims that he can cure 
Mrs. Peck of her domineering ways. Peck agrees to the 
scheme, gets a gun and pretends he is going to shoot Jen- 
kins, who loudly calls for help. Mrs. Peck rushes in, tells 
her husband that it is all a mistake and pleads with him 



4 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

not to kill Jenkins, but with little avail. At last, however, 
he agrees to let Jenkins go if she will never question him 
again or object to his staying out late. She is filled with 
admiration for her husband's determination, bravery and 
courage and readily accedes to his demands. At this instant 
the gun goes off. Peck, faint from fright, falls limply into 
his wife's arms. Jenkins drops tremblingly to his knees 
with a cry of "Holy mustard ! It was loaded !" and the cur- 
tain descends. 

CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES. 

James Jenkins — Would be funnier played by a big man, 
but this is not essential. He may wear the conventional 
evening dress and high hat or a fashionable dark suit and 
derby hat. He should look the "man about town." 

Henry Peck — Would be more ludicrous if played by a 
small man, but this is not absolutely necessary. He is of 
the "hen-peck type," neatly and quietly dressed in a business 
suit. 

Mrs. Peck — Can be played by a woman of any age. She 
wears a pretty indoor costume. 

PROPERTIES. 
A family album, an old large revolver, a box from 
which revolver is taken. Revolver loaded with blank car- 
tridges to be fired off stage. 



STAGE SETTING. 

1 1 Door | r 



\ 



Sideboard Hat Rack 

Door 



□ „ Morris pi 

O Chair Chair 



[ [ Couch 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 
R. means right of the stage ; C, center ; R. C, right cen- 
ter ; L., left ; 1 E., first entrance ; U. E., upper entrance, 
ets. ; D. E ., door in flat or back of stage ; 1 G., first groove, 
etc. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED 



Scene : A comfortably furnished room. Doors at C. and 
L. U. E. There is a sideboard up stage, R of C. door, with 
partly filled decanter and glasses. A Morris chair down 
stage about L. center. A couch down stage, L. A hat rack 
L. of C. door. A table down stage, R., on which there is a 
family album. Chair at table. See Scene Plot for stage 
setting 

For curtain music play very softly "We Won't Go Home 
Until Morning." As curtain rises a clock is striking the 
hour of twelve. On the sixth or seventh stroke start the 
curtain. 

Discovered, Mrs. Peck, seated dosing in the Morris 
chair. On the stroke of twelve she stretches, yawns and 
sits up. 

Mrs. Peck. Mercy, that must be twelve o'clock strik- 
ing and Henry not home yet. (She gets out of chair.) 
This is the third time this week, and he has the nerve to 
tell me that he is kept at the office straightening his ac- 
counts. He is either an incompetent bookkeeper or an 
accomplished fibber. Now, if he was honest about it, like 
the man next door, who admits that he stays out to have 
a good time, it wouldn't be so bad; but to have him lie to 
me the way he does is unbearable. < 

Jenkins rattles the key outside the C, door. 

Mrs. Peck. There he is now — trying to find the key- 
hole. (The noise continues.) What a racket he is making 
— he usually comes in like a mouse. Well, he shan't have 
the satisfaction of knowing that I sat up for him. (She 



6 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

apparently turns an electric button on the wall near L. U. 
E., the lights go down and she exits, L. U. E.) 

Jenkins enters C. His high hat is tilted over one eye, 
his tie is mussed, and his general appearance is that of a 
man slightly intoxicated. He carries a key ring in his hand 
with a number of keys. He holds one key out and speaks 
to it. 

Jenkins. What in — shay, what's matter with you to- 
night, eh? You've opened that door 365 days in the year 
without any fuss or feathers, and tonight, just because I 
got a little more than usual aboard, you go on a strike and 
refuse to work. (He puts key ring in pocket, takes off his 
hat and tries two or three times to hang it on the sideboard 
before he sees his mistake.) Where's that hatrack? (He 
looks around and discovers it left of C. door.) Moved 
again by thunder. (Hangs his hat.) I wish my wife would 
leave things in their accustomed places two days in susches 
— such — succession. (He turns and stumbles over Morris 
chair. Speaks in rage as he grabs his ankle.) A chair in 
the middle of the room ! Can you beat that ! (He begins to 
search on right wall for electric button.) Where's that 
button! Hang it! She's even moved that. (Going slowly 
along the wall, searching.) Button, button, who's got the 
button ? 

Mrs. Peck enters, L. U. E., and zvatches him for an instant. 

Mrs. Peck. What are you doing — playing a game? 

Jenkins. I'm looking for that confounded electric but- 
ton. 

Mrs. Peck (quickly turns the button on left wall, the 
lights go up. Aside). Good heavens! That's not my hus- 
band ! , 

Jenkins (aside). Good Lord! That's not my wife! 

Mrs. Peck (aside). The man next door. 

Jenkins (aside). My next door neighbor. My wife 
must be having a party. (Bowing to Mrs. Peck.) This is 
Mrs. Peck, I believe? 

Mrs. Peck. Oh, you know where you are, then? 

Jenkins. Madam, I always know where I are. I have- 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 7 

a little difficulty sometimes remembering the last place — 
but I never forget where I are. Just now I have the 'steemed 
pleasure of wel-clum-ling — of wel-kum-ing you to our 
house. Make yourself perfectly at home — and — have a 
drink. (He goes up stage and runs into hatrack.) Some- 
thing else gone from its accustomed place. If my wife ever 
gets to heaven, she'll move the throne and dust the harps 
every Friday. {Turns to Mrs. Peck.) I beg your pardon, 
but do you see anything that looks like a sideboard around 
here? 

Mrs. Peck (crosses to R. and sits at table). It is on the 
other side of the room. 

Jenkins (sees sideboard right of C. door). Eh! Where 
the hatrack used to be. (Gets decanter and glasses and 
brings them down to table.) Now you must have a little 
drink. 

Mrs. Peck (indignantly) . I don't drink, sir. 

Jenkins. Oh, just to celebrate our acquaintance. Being 
next door neighbors, we ought to be better friends ; but you 
were always such an old stick — 

Mrs. Peck. Sir! 

Jenkins. Such a stickler for ceremony that we never 
made any advances. (He has poured a glass of wine.) 
Come, now. I insist. Be a good fellow. (He puts glass in 
her hand, which she places on table. He holds his own 
glass.) To our future fenship — to our fenture fruit — well, 
whatever it is. (He drinks the wine, then coughs and makes 
a face.) Elderberry! Now, who the — who put that stuff 
there ? 

Mrs. Peck. That is the only wine we use in our house. 
(She gets up and crosses to L.) 

Jenkins. That's all right — but how the deuce did it get 
into my house? 

Mrs. Peck. Your house? 

Jenkins. Sure ! Ain't this my house ? 

Mrs: Peck. Oh— is it? 

Jenkins. Oh, is it ! Well, what do you know about that ! 
Don't you know where you are? 

Mrs. Peck. I thought I was in my own house. 



8 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

Jenkins. You poor woman — you've been drinking. My 
wife ought to know better than to give you liquor. Now, 
don't worry — you're among friends, and we'll, see you safely 
home! Where are the other guests ? 

Mrs. Peck. I don't know. 

Jenkins (playfully shakes his finger at her). Ill bet you 
sneaked away from the party, didn't you? I don't blame 
you. Where's your husband? 

Mrs. Peck. I don't know. 

Jenkins. Don't know that, either? My, my, you're in 
a terrible condition. Now, you just hold tight — I'm going 
to mix you a dose of bromo seltzer. 

Mrs. Peck. I don't want a dose of bromo seltzer. 

Jenkins. Oh, but you must have it. Any woman who 
doesn't know where her husband is — it's terrible — must 
have a dose of bromo seltzer. 

Mrs. Peck. I know where he says he is. 

Jenkin. Where's that? 

Mrs. Peck. At the office attending to his books. 

Jenkins. And don't you believe him? 

Mrs. Peck. No, I do not. 

Jenkins. My, my, that's awful. Woman doesn't believe 
her husband. Now, my wife's different. When I come 
home like this I say, "Eliza, I've been drinking" — and she 
believes me right away. (Looking on sideboard.) Where's 
that bromo seltzer? 

Mrs. Peck. There's none there. 

Jenkins. How do you know? 

Mrs. Peck. I took the last of it this evening. 

Jenkins. Oh, ho! You've been tryin' to sober up, eh? 
Good! Now, the next thing to do is to lie down and keep 
quiet, see ! No, not here. My wife's room is right at the 
top of the stairs. Sneak up quietly — see — and sleep it off. 
That's the idea. (He takes her arm and starts her toward 
L. U. E.) 

Mrs. Peck (beginning to be amused). What are you 
going to do? 

Jenkins. I'm goin' to roost here on the couch. If they 
find me I don't care a huckleberry. 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 9 

Mrs. Peck (at L. U: E.). But suppose Henry comes? 

Jenkins. Henry? 

Mrs. Peck. My husband. 

Jenkins. Oh, is he coming here tonight? 

Mrs. Peck. Well, he better had. 

Jenkins. That's all right. I'll explain to Henry. 

Mrs. Peck. Don't you think you'd better go home be- 
fore he comes? 

Jenkins. .Go home ! Madame, you amaze me. How any- 
one could get so pifflicated on the stuff my wife serves her 
guests — it's astonishing. Go lie down — like a good old 
sport — and sleep it off. When Henry comes my wife will 
call you. 

Mrs. Peck (aside). I may as well humor him. (Laughs 
softly.) I wonder what Henry will say. (Exits, L. U. E.) 

Jenkins (taking off his collar and' tie and shoes, sitting 
on couch). Gosh I thought she'd never go. Ain't it remark- 
able how a woman will stick. Wonder what kind of a fel- 
low that husband of hers is. Name's Henry — Henry Peck 
— by gosh, he looks it. (He turns off the light, stretches 
on couch with a sigh.) Ah! Be it ever so lonesome, there's 
no place like home. (He goes to sleep.) 

C. door quietly opens and Henry enters. He is very tired 
and perfectly sober. Takes out watch and looks closely at 
it in the dim light. 

Henry. Way after twelve. Oh, but I'm tired. That 
last row of figures nearly killed me. I can't keep this up. 
It's getting on my nerves. And the worst of it is, Maria 
won't believe me. She thinks I'm a rake, a night owl. If 
she only knew — if she only knew. (Jenkins snores.) 
What's that? (Jenkins snores again.) That doesn't sound 
like Maria. (Jenkins snores louder.) Good heavens! It's 
a man — in my house — at this hour! Can it be a burglar? 
No! A burglar wouldn't go to sleep on the job. (Henry 
turns on light and looks at Jenkins, who remains asleep.) 
Good Lord! It's the man next door. Jenkins, the sport, 
whom she has always held up to me as a horrible example. 
And I find him asleep in my house. Oh, woman, woman! 



10 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

Fool that I have been to be taken in so easily. She accuses 
me of wrongdoing so that I will close my eyes to hers. 
(Jenkins snores again.) I'll waken this villain — this 
despoiler of homes — and see what he has to say for him- 
self. (Goes angrily to couch, then pauses.) Mercy, what a 
big man he is. She always admired big men. I wonder if 
he's dangerous. But I must be brave — he can't do more 
than kill me. (Shakes Jenkins.) Here! Get up — get up, I 
say. 

Jenkins (rousing himself). Who in th — (looks up at 
Henry, smiles sleepily.) Oh, is that you, Henry? 

Henry. Henry ! 

Jenkins. Now, don't get peevish, Hen. We're next 
door neighbors, ain't we? The wife and I understand each 
other. 

Henry. Where is my wife, sir? I demand to know — 
where is my wife? 

Jenkins. Well, to tell the truth, she had a little more 
than usual aboard, so I sent her upstairs to sleep it off. 

Henry. What ! 

Jenkins. Say, don't holler like that. You got what I 
said. She's been drinking. 

Henry. My wife drinking! 

Jenkins. Sure. What's the harm? Been drinkin' my- 
self. 

Henry. Presumably, sir. 

Jenkins. Now, don't fly off the handle like that. You 
don't want the other guests to think there's a fight goin' 
on, do you, Henry? 

Henry. The other guests ! What guests ? 

Jenkins. Why, there's a party here tonight. 

Henry. A party — in my house ! 

Jenkins. No, sir. In my house. My wife has a few 
friends. 

Henry. Your wife! 

Jenkins. Sure she's my wife. You got any doubts about 
it? 

Henry. You mean my wife, sir. 

Jenkins. Your — say, what's matter? You drunk, too? 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 11 

Henry. No, sir. I am perfectly sober. 

Jenkins. Then I'd like to see you when you're loaded. 

Henry. I won't be spoken to like that in my own house, 
sir. 

Jenkins. Well, did you get that? Your house! Your 
wife! In a minute you'll be claiming me as a long-lost 
brother. Anything else here that belongs to you? 

Henry. Yes, sir. Everything — since my money paid 
for it. 

Jenkins. Your money paid for it. I like your impu- 
dence, you little whipper-snapper. My money runs this es- 
tablishment, and don't you forget it. 

Henry {excitedly). Do you mean to say the lady of this 
house takes money from you? 

Jenkins. Every Saturday night. 

Henry. You lie, sir. 

Jenkins. What ! {He makes an angry movement toward 
Henry. ) 

Henry {jumps into Morris chair for protection. Speaks 
in an apologetical tone over the back of chair.) I mean to 
say that you are mistaken, because I also hand over every 
Saturday night — 

Jenkins {in surprise). To my wife? 

Henry. No, sir ; to my wife. 

Jenkins. Aw, who's talkin' about your wife? 

Henry. Who's talking about your wife? 

Jenkins. You are. You said you gave money to my 
wife to fun my house. 

Henry. No, sir ; to my wife to run my house. 

Jenkins. Say, whose house is this, anyway? 

Henry {comes out y of chair). Mine. 

Jenkins. What! (Henry jumps back into chair again.) 

Henry. It's mine, I assure you. {Gets off chair and 
opens album on table.) See, here's the family album. If 
you don't know your own house or your own furniture, 
perhaps you'll admit that these are not your friends and 
relatives. 

Jenkins {takes one disgusted glance at open album). No, 
thank heaven, they're not. I thought the furniture looked 



12 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

different, but my wife has such a habit of moving things 
about I didn't pay much attention. How did I get in here, 
1 wonder. 

Henry. Your key must fit this lock. 

Jenkins. I remember now — I had some trouble. 

Henry. The houses in this block do resemble each 
other. 

Jenkins. Resemble. Why, they're twins and triplets. 
My house is fifth from the corner. 

Henry. This is sixth. 

Jenkins. Well, there's nothing for me to do but 'polo- 
gize and beat it. My wife'll raise the dickens. 

Henry. So will mine. 

Jenkins. What for? You haven't been drinking, have 
you? 

Henry. No, sir. I've been at the office working, but she 
won't believe me. 

Jenkins. That's because you tell her the truth. Tell her 
a good big whopper and she'll fall, for it. 

Henry {shocked). Lie to my wife! 

Jenkins. Oh, it has been done. See here, I've often 
thought what a dunce you were. 

Henry. Sir ! 

Jenkins. Don't apologize. You don't belong to any 
clubs, do you? 

Henry. My wife won't let me. 

Jenkins. You never go out with the boys for a good 
time, do you? 

Henry (sadly). Never. 

Jenkins. You're continually tied to your wife's apron 
strings, aren't you ? 

Henry. Figuratively speaking, yes. 

Jenkins. Well, here's where you want to draw up a 
declaration of independence, sign, seal and deliver it: 

Henry. To whom? 

Jenkins. To the madam, of course. 

Henry. I wouldn't know how to do it. (Henry sits on 
couch.) 

Jenkins. Wait. I've got an idea. You come home after 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 13 

midnight, tired and worn out after a hard day's work. What 
do you find ? A stranger, slightly intoxicated, asleep on your 
best piece of furniture, your wife upstairs sleeping off the 
effects of her dissipation. 

Henry (rises). My wife never dissipates, sir. 

Jenkins (pushes Henry back on couch). Sit down. 
You've got to pretend that she does. What do you do ? You 
start right in and begin shooting things up. 

Henry (rises). I can't shoot. 

Jenkins (pushes him). Sit down. Have you got a gun? 

Henry. I'm afraid not. 

Jenkins. Nothing at all that looks like one? 

Henry (rises). Let me think — there may be such a 
thing. I remember an old firearm my grandfather owned. 
It's in the cupboard in the other room. (Starts toward L. 
U. E.) 

Jenkins. Get it out — she won't know the difference. 
(Henry exits, L. U. E.) I'll make a man of this fellow 
before I get through with him. 

Henry enters L. U. E., with box containing a fezu odd 
things.. He puts it on table, throws back the lid. 

Henry. I'm almost sure it is in this box. (Takes out a 
large sized old revolver.) Here it is. 

Jenkins (handling the gun). See — I bet that hasn't been 
used since the Civil War. (Henry puts box under the table 
out of the way.) Take off your coat. (Henry does so.) 
Now take this in your hand and point it at me. Take it — 
it can't shoot. 

Henry (gingerly holding the gun). What are you going 
to do? 

Jenkins. I'm going to get down on my knees and holler 
like hallelujah. (Quickly musses his hair, drops on his 
knees, R. center, and begins to call madly for help. Henry 
stands C, pointing gun at Jenkins in a wobbly manner. 
Jenkins looks at him in disgust.) For heaven's sake, brace 
up and look like a human being. I can't call for help when 
you're looking at me like a scared sardine. (Henry assumes 
a threatening attitude.) Now — say something. 



14 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

Henry. You — you — 

Jenkins. That's good. Go ahead. Help! 

Henry. * You robber. 

Jenkins. Make it stronger. Help! Oh, help! 

Henry. You horse thief! 

Jenkins. You're off the track. Wife stealer. Help! 
Help! 

Henry. You wife stealer. You despoiler of homes. 

Jenkins. Fine. Keep it up. Help ! Oh, help ! 

Henry. You fiend in human form. 

Jenkins. Keep it up. Help! Help! 

Henry. You black-hearted scoundrel. 

Jenkins. Now you've got it. Help ! 

Henry (getting warmed up). I'll have your heart's 
blood. 

Mrs. Peck enters, L. U. E. Pauses amazed. The men 
know she is there and begin to put more ginger into their 
work. The dialogue should be given with snap to the end 
of the play. 

Henry. You enter my home like a thief in the night 
and rob me of my wife's affections. You'll never live to rob 
another — for tonight you die! (Flourishes gun.) 

Jenkins (to Mrs. Peck). Oh, save me! Save me! 

Mrs. Peck (comes dozvn L. of Henry). Henry, are you 
mad? -This is the man next door. 

Henry. Don't tell me who he is, madam. I know him. 
(Henry flourishes gun occasionally and speaks in an ex- 
tremely melodramatic manner.) 

Mrs. Peck. Henry, darling, what does this mean? 

Henry. It means that I have found you out. You 
thought to deceive me forever, did you? But, woman, that 
can't be done. 

Mrs. Peck. Oh, Henry, what have I done? 

Henry (turns toward her, forgetting Jenkins). You 
have betrayed me — destroyed the sanctity of our home. 
(Jenkins, seeing his chance, makes a move to get up. 
Henry quickly turns and aims gun at him.) Stay where 
you are! (Jenkins falls back on his knees, but is giving 
evidence of being tired of his position.) 



WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 15 

Jenkins. Oh, Mrs. Peck, call off this half-peck. Call 
him off — he's insane. 

Mrs. Peck (very much worked up, falls on her knees, 
implores Henry). Henry, dear, listen to me, won't you? 
I am innocent. I swear it. 

Henry. I don't believe it. 

Mrs. Peck (cries). Henry! 

Henry. Why should I? Have you ever believed me? 
When I told you with tears in my eyes that I worked night 
after night, so that you might live in ease and comfort — did 
you believe me? No! You said I lied — but I tell you it is 
the woman who lies and lies and lies! (Flourishes gun.) 

Jenkins (on his knees but getting weak). And then 
some. (He makes a slight move to get up.) 

Henry (aims gun at him). Stay where you are. 

Mrs. Peck (on her knees). Oh, Henry! 

Henry. The worm has turned ! This man has ruined my 
home. He dies ! 

Mrs. Peck. Oh, Henry, they'll hang you. 

Jenkins. They'll let him off — it's a brain storm. 

Mrs. Peck. Oh, that I should live to see this day. 

Henry. You won't live. I'll kill you next. 

Jenkins. Oh, Mrs. Peck. 

Mrs. Peck (wringing her hands). Oh, Henry! 

Henry. Oh, Maria, Maria! 

Mrs. Peck (rising). Do not commit a crime, my hus- 
band. They will take you from me, and that would break 
my heart. 

Henry (sniffling). You drove me to it. 
* Mrs. Peck. I ask your forgiveness. Don't you see I 
love you ? 

Henry (sniffling). Do you, Maria? 

Mrs. Peck. Only let me prove it. Spare this man's life. 
He is nothing to me, dear. How could you accuse me of 
loving such a homely beast. (Jenkins, who has apparently 
been weeping, looks up indignantly.) 

Henry (looking at Jenkins). He is ugly, Maria. 

Mrs. Peck (speaks with contempt). And see what a 
coward he is. A woman doesn't love a man like that, dear. 



16 WHEN THE WORM TURNED. 

It's the strong, brave and handsome that her heart goes out 
to. (She puts her arm on Henry's shoulder.) Let the mis- 
erable thing go, darling. He is not worthy the notice of a 
man like you. 

Jenkins. Well, I'll be — 

Henry (points gun at him). Don't swear in the presence 
of a lady. (To Mrs. Peck.) If I forgive you, Maria, will 
you promise to be a good wife in the future? 

Mrs. Peck. Yes — oh, yes. 

Henry. Will you have confidence and believe every- 
thing I tell you? 

Mrs. Peck. Everything! 

Henry. Will you let me join a club and go out occasion- 
ally? 

Mrs. Peck. Yes — oh, yes. 

Henry. Then I will spare this man's life. (To Jenkins.) 
Rise. You are free to go. 

Jenkins (getting up). Thanks, kind sir. 

Henry. But if you ever darken my doors again — 

Jenkins (holding up his hand). N.ever again! (Jenkins 
gathers his shoes, coat, hat, tie, etc.) 

Henry. Do you love me, Maria? (Opens his arms, still 
holding the gun.) 

Mrs. Peck (going to Henry). Oh, Henry. I never real- 
ized what a man you were — so brave, so strong, so cour- 
ageous — (Henry still holding the gun puts his arm around 
Mrs. Peck. He faces Jenkins, who is now up stage near 
door. Jenkins has put on his high hat rakishly, his* collar 
and tie are undone, and he carries his shoes in his hand and 
is stealing off quietly, winking to Henry. When unexpect- 
edly, at the word "courageous," the gun goes off with a 
loud report. The effect will be the same if some one off 
stage discharges a gun. Jenkins drops his shoes, falls on 
his knees , trembling with fear. Mrs. Peck screams, and 
Henry, frightened badly, turns completely around and falls 
backward into Mrs. Peck's arms. He is limp with fright.) 

Jenkins (yells). Holy mustard! It was loaded! 

Quick Curtain. 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. 



Price 15 Gents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price is Given. 



M. F. 

Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 

Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min 4 2 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 
Fun in a Photograph Gallery, 

30 min 6 10 

Great Doughnut Corporation, 

30 min 3 5 

Great Medieal Dispensary, 30 m. 6 
<*reat Pumpkin Case, 30 min. ..12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min 4 3 

Happy Pair, 25 min 1 1 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 
Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Is the Editor In? 20 min 4 2 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min .... 5 1 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mike Donovan's Courtship, 15 m. 1 3 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Carver's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 
Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 

min 3 2 

My Lord in Livery, 1 hr 4 3 

My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min... 3 3 

My Turn Next, 45 min 4 3 

My Wife's Relations, 1 hr 4 6 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 

OnJy Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 

Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min... 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. . 6 3 

Regular Fix, 35 min 6 4 

Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 

Second Childhood, 15 min 2 2 

Slasher and Crasher, 50 min... 5 2 

Taking Father's Place, 30 min.. 5 3 

Taming a Tiger, 30 min 3 

That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 

' Those Red Envelopes, 25 min . 4 4 
Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Treasure from Egypt, 45 min. 4 1 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. . 4 

Two Bonnycastles, 45 min 3 3 

Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min . . 8 

Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min ..32 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 

Wanted a Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Which Will He Marry? 20 min. 2 8 

Who Is Who? 40 min 3 2 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 

Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 

Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 



VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES. MON- 
OLOGUES. ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

M_F. 

Ax'in' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 

Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.10 
Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. . 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min., 2 1 

Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min.. 1 1 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m. 14 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Doings of a Dude, 20 min 2 1 

Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 

Five Minutes from Yell College, 

15 min 2 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min ... 2 1 
Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min.. 1 1 
Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min.. 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hot Air, 25 min 2 1 

Jumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 

Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min... 1 
Mischievous Nigger, 25 min... 4 2 

Mistaken "Miss, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. Badger's Uppers, 40 min.. 4 2 
One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m, 2 
Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min.. 4 

Oyster Stew, lO.^nin. . . e 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10 

min s I 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2 2 
Prof. Black's Funnygraph, 15 m. 6 

Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 

Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 

Si and I, 15 min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Stage Struck Darky, 10 min... 2 1 
Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min... 1 

Time Table, 20 min 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, 15 min... 3 

Umbrella Mender, 15 min 2 

Uncle Bill, at the Vaudeville, 15 

min 1 

Uncle Jeff, 25 min 5 2 

Who Gits de Reward ? 30 min. . 5 1 



A ifreat number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed In 

Denison's Catalogue. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY. 154 W. Randolph SU Chicago 



Lioawv of cawgi 



POPULAR ENTERTAII 

Price, Illustrated Paper Covei 




HWIttCWrj ^ 



PATRIOTIC 
CELEBMIIONS 




IN this Series 
are found 
books touching: 
every feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
good paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
er design. 



DIALOGUES 

All Sorts of Dialogues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

New, clever; for young people. 
Children's Comic Dialogues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Brand new, original, successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaker. 
The Comic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 

Dialect Readings. 

Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. 

The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 

The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 
For pupils of all ages. 

Humorous Monologues. 
Particularly for ladies. 

Monologues for Young Folks. 
Clever, humorous, original. 

The Patriotic Speaker. 

Master thoughts of masterminds. 

The Poetical Entertainer. 
For reading or speaking. 

Pomes ov the Peepul. 

Wit, humor, satire; funny poems. 

Scrao-Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose, poe- 
try. 14 Nos., per No. 25c. 



DRILLS 

The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 years. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys' Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Plans, invitations, decorations, 

games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

Entertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
The Little Folks, or Work and Play. 

A gem of a book. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Shadow Pictures* Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenic Readings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fingers and Swaying 

Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

HAND BOOKS 

The Debater's Handbook. 

Bound only in cloth, 50c. 
Everybody's Letter Writer. 

A handy manual. 
Good Manners. 

Etiquette in brief form. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Social Card Games. 

Complete in brief form. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black American Joker. 

Minstrels' and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches.etc. 
Laughland. via the Ha-Ha Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Negro Minstrels. 

All about the business. ' 
The New' Jolly Jester. 

Funny stories, joke s, gags, etc. 

Large Illustrated Catalogue Free. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY. Publishers, 154 W. Randolph St.. Chicago 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



015 939 539 A 



